Mozambique: In Dire Need of Help
By Jordan Law.
While COVID-19 has taken over the nation, there are still several countries who suffer from other problems so large, that COVID seems small in comparison. One of these countries is Mozambique.[1] While most people spend their time wondering when it will be safe to go outside because of a virus, Mozambique citizens fear the outside because of an ever-present militia taking over their home country.[2]
The safety of Mozambique citizens is not a new issue, but rather one that has newly become well known.[3] However, even though the issue itself is not new, the danger level has increased to one that is pressing.[4] With the introduction of COVID-19, Mozambique’s government has become even more overwhelmed, leading to less protection for its citizens against what they fear the most: the militia.[5]
Mozambique is a lesser-known country within Africa located directly next to the more well-known Zimbabwe.[6] The violence began in Mozambique’s northern region in the Cabo Delgado province, approximately four years ago.[7] While Mozambique itself is lesser known, there are still a considerable amount of people who need rescuing.[8] It is estimated that almost 1.5 million citizens need humanitarian rescue, and quick.[9]
While the violence seems to be the largest issue, it is accompanied by many other large problems.[10] These problems include severe hunger and cholera. Both of these issues can often lead to hospitalization, however, 36 percent of all healthcare facilities within Mozambique have been destroyed by the militia and the violence they have brought with them.[11] This has led to, and will continue to lead to, the unnecessary deaths of citizens who could have been saved with slight intervention by a medical professional.[12]
There are several questions one may ask when hearing about the issues in Mozambique. How did this happen? How did it get so bad? What can I do to help? Unfortunately, there is no perfect answer to any of these questions, but there are theories and options for involvement available.
When the militia first appeared, it was weak enough that it could have still been defeated.[13] However, Mozambique’s government underestimated the threat.[14] This allowed the militia to continue to grow and increase their level of violence, practically unchecked.[15] It did not help that the government was not the most knowledgeable about what the militia was actually doing when they first started out.[16] Had the government become more involved sooner, it is very likely that the issue could have been solved.[17] Experts speculate that there was a major failure on the part of Mozambique’s government.[18]
It does not help matters that Mozambique has never been the safest country to live in.[19] Because of this, there was ample opportunity for a situation like this to arise.[20] In fact, some familiar with the area are surprised that it took this long for an insurgency to occur.[21] Another major factor leading up to this outcome is that a large portion of Mozambique citizens are unhappy with their status in life.[22] After Mozambique gained its independence, citizens expected to experience an enhanced quality of life.[23] However, this did not necessarily happen.[24]
Since the crisis in Mozambique became known to those outside the country there have been humanitarian efforts to help save the lives of as many Mozambique citizens as possible.[25] However, this is as far reaching as the help goes.[26] Because of the various factors leading up to the militia’s takeover, there are limited options in solving the issue.[27] This makes evacuation of citizens who want to leave the best possible option.[28] However, this is complicated as well because it is impossible for those not in Mozambique to know the extent of what is happening within the country.[29] Without full knowledge, evacuation and rescue can become complicated, or even impossible.[30] Because there is also a shortage of food and water caused by this crisis, another way to help is by providing citizens with both food and water.[31]
Neighboring countries have rising concern because of their close proximity to the terrorism occurring in Mozambique right now.[32] One of such countries is Niassa, who is currently assisting in housing Mozambique citizens who have fled the country to escape the violence.[33] They are particularly concerned because there is nothing to stop the militia from sneaking over with the terrified citizens.[34] This is of particular concern because the militia is expanding incredibly fast as Mozambique citizens give in and join in attempts to save their own lives.[35] It is essential for neighboring countries’ governments to be on high alert and ready to protect their citizens.[36]
While the situation in Mozambique was likely avoidable at the beginning, it is now too far gone to be fixed anytime soon. The best options available for assistance are attempted evacuation and supplying citizens with the necessary food and water to survive. The best plan in place is to localize the crisis in an attempt to protect other countries from becoming infiltrated by the militia as well.
[1] See generally Michelle Gavin, Crisis in Mozambique is Grabbing the World’s Attention, Council on Foreign Relations (May 14, 2021), https://www.cfr.org/blog/crisis-mozambique-grabbing-worlds-attention (last visited September 4, 2021).
[2]See Id.
[3] See Anita Powell, What’s Happening in Mozambique’s Violent North? It’s Complicated, VOA News (February 24, 2021), https://www.voanews.com/africa/whats-happening-mozambiques-violent-north-its-complicated (last visited September 5, 2021).
[4] See Id.
[5] See generally Id.
[6] See generally Id. (looking to map on webpage, you can see the exact location of Mozambique in relation to Zimbabwe).
[7] See Id.
[8] See generally Id.
[9] See Id.
[10] See generally Id.
[11] Id.
[12] See generally Id.
[13] Gavin, supra note 1.
[14] Powell, supra note 3.
[15] See generally Id.
[16] See generally Id.
[17] Id.
[18] Id.
[19] Eva-Maria Egger, Vincenzo Salvacci, & Finn Tarp, Evolution of Multidimensional Poverty in Crisis-ridden Mozambique, pg. 2 (2020).
[20] See generally Id.
[21] See generally Powell, supra note 3.
[22] Id.
[23] Id.
[24] See generally Id.
[25] Id.
[26] See generally Egger, supra note 19.
[27] See Powell, supra note 3.
[28] See generally Id.
[29] Id.
[30] See generally Id.
[31] The Top 10 Crises the World Should be Watching in 2021, Rescue.org (January 6, 2021) https://www.rescue.org/article/top-10-crises-world-should-be-watching-2021 (last visited September 5, 2021).
[32] See Powell, supra note 3.
[33] Id.
[34] See Id.
[35] See Id.
[36] See generally Sirwan Kajjo & Ramos Miguel, Experts: Mozambique’s Cabo Delgado Conflict Could Spread to Neighboring Provinces, VOA News (January 8, 2021) https://www.voanews.com/extremism-watch/experts-mozambiques-cabo-delgado-conflict-could-spread-neighboring-provinces (last visited September 5, 2021).